One thing is true of Cincinnati: we care about babies. Over the past year, we’ve seen champions throughout our city rally around our moms and babies in ways we could have only dreamed. Churches are sharing health messaging from the pulpit. Community groups are taking strides to improve the health of their neighbors and neighborhoods. Community health workers are walking hand-in-hand with moms before, during, and after pregnancy.

This September, help us celebrate those fighting for our moms and babies by submitting a nomination for our 2017 Champions for Change awards. From pastors to nurses, teachers to social workers, hairdressers to doctors, we can all make a difference.

Nominations are open in the following categories:

Safe Sleep Champion: An individual working to promote safe sleep for babies in Hamilton County. Remember: Alone, on their Back, and in a Crib.

Champion for Spacing: An individual working to promote optimal pregnancy spacing and family planning.

Champion for Better Care: A nurse, midwife, medical assistant or other provider who cares for women before, during or after their pregnancy.

Social Support Champion: A community health worker, home visitor or social worker who walks side-by-side with moms through pregnancy and their baby’s first year of life.

Champion for Moms and Dads: A grandparent, neighbor, pastor, business owner or community member who lends parents a helping hand, a friendly ear, words of support and more during pregnancy and baby’s first year of life.

Champion for Knowledge: An epidemiologist, researcher or student working to better understand the complexities of infant mortality and preterm birth.